But, I always like exploring and questioning the alternatives. Just nice to give a voice to something in the shadows.

Typically, edgy campaigns are seen as being more successful, a famous example is Brooke Shields, “Nothing between me and my Calvins.”

I certainly find, “Thank you for Smoking” a bit offensive, but it sure got my attention and I did watch the movie.

Alcohol may not cut 14 years of years of your life, but like smoking it is associated with a lot of problems that can result in death. Heart disease is the #1 killer, which can be caused from a number of factors included amongst them smoking, alcohol, high blood pressure, obesity. They all result in death, so how can one be worse than the other? Smoking reduces life expectancy by 14 years, but that does not mean that any of these other substances are not just as harmful. Cirrhosis of the liver can develop in about 15 or so years, so someone who starts drinking at the age of 13, let’s say, can develop serious complications by the time they’re going into their 30s. I do not believe their life expectancy is going to be high. That’s initially the point I’m trying to make, that either way the substance is harmful and will decrease the amount of time an individual has to live.

So you believe that if everyone out there was faced with the option to choose life or death, they would choose life? I believe you would get different answers, for different reasons. While it may not be as extensive today, suicide bombers are a prime example of a group of people who for a certain ideal are willing to trade in their life. Others simply believe that life is too short to worry about whether or not one thing will cause them harm. There are many who believe that if you’re going to end up the same way whether you participate in one thing or not then why bar yourself from it if you want to do it? I know quite a few intelligent, well-put together people who smoke, and who know its implications and will simply say “I don’t care. I enjoy it. I’m gonna continue to do it.”

Drinking is associated with some problems, but doesn’t appreciably reduce your life expectancy. Numerous studies are available on this subject.

I don’t know of any studies on the life expectancy of bungee jumpers, but similar to other commercially available services. When performed as intended bungee jumping does not cause death in otherwise healthy people. Any report on a bungee death will include a cause usually related to human error. Smokers die when using the product is used as intended.

I just can’t believe you said, “I actually do not think it is bold to assume that someone would want to cut off a few years off their life.”

I think there are a lot of things that supposed “normal happy well adjusted” people enjoy doing that is harmful to their health. Frankly, you can say that people who drink are not normal happy well adjusted people either, or that people who partake in risky behavior like bungee jumping are not either because they are not showing a sense of valuing their life (which is what I am interpreting from your point about the shortening of life expectancy).

In terms of encouraging others, we encourage individuals every day because we generally (not always) tend to believe that our ideals should be present in others. I think it is more important to focus on what the individual who is being encouraged decides to do. I actually do not think it is bold to assume that someone would want to cut off a few years off their life because there are many individuals who have no regard for their life. That is the reality of life, that no one views or values it the same way.

You believe that smoking is something that normal happy well adjusted person might just enjoy doing? Can you think of anything else that shortens your life expectancy by 14 years (according to CDC) that also falls into this category?

How do you feel about those encouraging others to smoke? Is that just being sociable? Isn’t it rather bold to assume someone might wish to trade off 14 years of their life?

~Allyssa